# Difference between matte and flat black **URL:** \ **Category:** Shift518 Automotive\ **Created:** [January 13, 2012, 10:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281 "2012-01-13T10:26:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zpaull1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ba0ec/32.png) [@zpaull1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zpaull1)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 10:26am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/1 "2012-01-13T10:26:23Z")
So I’ve been looking around for a matte black but is there a difference between matte, flat or the the hot rod black I’m looking for something like this ![http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&source=mog&hl=en&gl=us&q=Matte%20black%20car&sa=N&biw=320&bih=452#i=6](http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&source=mog&hl=en&gl=us&q=Matte%20black%20car&sa=N&biw=320&bih=452#i=6) thank you guys ---
**Author:** ![love4boost](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/love4boost/32/6658_2.png) [@love4boost](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/love4boost)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 10:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/2 "2012-01-13T10:32:31Z")
i thought they were the same thing ---
**Author:** ![Mafdark](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mafdark/32/6322_2.png) [@Mafdark](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mafdark)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 10:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/3 "2012-01-13T10:34:51Z")
> [@i got smoked (not too bad though)](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-got-smoked-not-too-bad-though/47859/30): > > So I’ve been looking around for a matte black but is there a difference between matte, flat or the the hot rod black I’m looking for something like this ![http://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&source=mog&hl=en&gl=us&q=Matte%20black%20car&sa=N&biw=320&bih=452#i=6](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/a/6/a689ee139e6891e96f90afe695a993cf69187e09.html) thank you guys like most colors, there are hundreds of very minor variations of the same thing. As far as describing the differences and seeing the differences, that can be very difficult without each right in front of you and good lighting. ---
**Author:** ![zpaull1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ba0ec/32.png) [@zpaull1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zpaull1)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 10:38am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/4 "2012-01-13T10:38:36Z")
> [@Official: NHL Playoff Thread](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/official-nhl-playoff-thread/46500/399): > > i thought they were the same thing Thats what I thought I was about to buy some but looked at pictures of all them and they all look a little different Im thinking about vinyl wrapping my car but thats alot more expensive but it looks like what I want ---
**Author:** ![love4boost](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/love4boost/32/6658_2.png) [@love4boost](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/love4boost)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 10:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/5 "2012-01-13T10:40:06Z")
> [@chino's disasterous sti paint! 56k diaf](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/chinos-disasterous-sti-paint-56k-diaf/47855/39): > > Thats what I thought I was about to buy some but looked at pictures of all them and they all look a little different Im thinking about vinyl wrapping my car but thats alot more expensive but it looks like what I want my s2000 was wrapped and its a waste of money… It costs sometimes MORE then a paintjob and doesnt come out great and if it does it certainly doesnt last. I got pissed with the wrap when I bought the caR instantly and ended up just painting the car the color it was wrapped. ![http://i43.tinypic.com/15mzd6e.jpg](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/3X/2/f/2f0984456f8dd47c5beb0a68b72c3d6cf62ef2aa.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![zpaull1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ba0ec/32.png) [@zpaull1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zpaull1)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 10:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/6 "2012-01-13T10:49:01Z")
> [@Official: NHL Playoff Thread](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/official-nhl-playoff-thread/46500/401): > > my s2000 was wrapped and its a waste of money… It costs sometimes MORE then a paintjob and doesnt come out great and if it does it certainly doesnt last. I got pissed with the wrap when I bought the caR instantly and ended up just painting the car the color it was wrapped. Yeah and I was gonna try to do it buy myself so it wouldn’t be nearly as good probably but I was just gonna do that do I wouldn’t have to wait until spring to spray my other car since I just spray in my garage. I’ll just keep looking then no rush yet ---
**Author:** ![SRS\_BZNS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/srs_bzns/32/6375_2.png) [@SRS\_BZNS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SRS_BZNS)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 10:58am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/7 "2012-01-13T10:58:15Z")
I think you meant to ask what the different between Satin, semi-glosse and Matte/flat black were ---
**Author:** ![zpaull1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ba0ec/32.png) [@zpaull1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zpaull1)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 11:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/8 "2012-01-13T11:04:17Z")
> [@SRS BZNS"](#): > > I think you meant to ask what the different between Satin, semi-glosse and Matte/flat black were All I know I’m looking for something with little to no gloss im not sure what satin is but the hot rod black said it was satin ---
**Author:** ![Skidplate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Skidplate](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Skidplate)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 11:05am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/9 "2012-01-13T11:05:33Z")
hot rod black is the shit. in a good way. ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 11:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/10 "2012-01-13T11:09:19Z")
Its measured in GU. A device is placed on the surface, light is projected 20,60 or 85 degrees (depending on what scale of gloss you want to accurately measure) off perpendicular from the surface, and the opposite sides respected degree measures the amount of light it received. The porosity in the surface refracts the light all over the place, reducing the “gloss” appearance. So a flat finish the meter will see only a small ammount of the projected light focused back on the other side… thus giving you a lower GU reading. Buffed out clear coat: 80+ gu Satin or matte: 45ish GU Flat: 5-15gu Autobody clear can be mixed with a flattener, to reduce the clear’s reflectivity. Used in repair work to match OEM shades, since some cars had semi gloss finishes on some parts. Thats one of the ways people make legit “hot rod” colors. The “hot rod black” like [http://www.tcpglobal.com/kustomshop/ksflatz.aspx](http://www.tcpglobal.com/kustomshop/ksflatz.aspx) is right in the middle, to IMO a big on the glossy side. ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 11:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/11 "2012-01-13T11:15:55Z")
Keep in mind that you can NOT buff out a satin or flat finish. So if you suck at painting, IE get runs or sags, your fucked. If your booth isnt clean enough to eat off of, dust, dirt, and hardened crap in a dirty paint gun can NOT be nibbed and buffed out. And thats even if you get an even, well shot paint job. And scratches after the fact cant be buffed out. The stuff is a pain in the ass actually. if you want professional results. ---
**Author:** ![zpaull1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ba0ec/32.png) [@zpaull1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zpaull1)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 11:23am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/12 "2012-01-13T11:23:35Z")
> [@World Of Warcraft Funeral.....Epic Ownage](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/world-of-warcraft-funeral-epic-ownage/47888/4): > > Keep in mind that you can NOT buff out a satin or flat finish. So if you suck at painting, IE get runs or sags, your fucked. If your booth isnt clean enough to eat off of, dust, dirt, and hardened crap in a dirty paint gun can NOT be nibbed and buffed out. And thats even if you get an even, well shot paint job. > > And scratches after the fact cant be buffed out. > > The stuff is a pain in the ass actually. if you want professional results. Thanks for the big heads up! I just paint in my garage that would have benn bad lol I’ll ask my buddy if I can goto his shop and use a booth ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 11:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/13 "2012-01-13T11:29:25Z")
Np. Its like anything, prepwork and paying attention will make all the difference. What are your plans anyway? what car is it? ---
**Author:** ![zpaull1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ba0ec/32.png) [@zpaull1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zpaull1)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 11:33am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/14 "2012-01-13T11:33:00Z")
> [@2004 G35 Coupe 6MT, $24,000](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/2004-g35-coupe-6mt-24-000/44895/8): > > Np. Its like anything, prepwork and paying attention will make all the difference. What are your plans anyway? what car is it? Its a 91 3000gt vr4 that I’m pretty much rebuilding most of the car. I was going to paint it lambo green but the black would just look stealthy so I was looking into that. ---
**Author:** ![KrazyKid](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/krazykid/32/6371_2.png) [@KrazyKid](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/KrazyKid)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 12:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/15 "2012-01-13T12:30:38Z")
10-4. Anything over lambogreen is a good choice. :rofl. That HOK hotrod black, or TCP’s HotRod Flatz is good product. Easy to shoot, and single stage. Have fun and ask questions when you need help. ---
**Author:** ![zpaull1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7ba0ec/32.png) [@zpaull1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/zpaull1)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 12:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/16 "2012-01-13T12:37:38Z")
Maybe for you haha I like to stand out haha but thanks for the help I’ll look into those hot rod colors I gotta see if there to glossy for what I want ---
**Author:** ![Vovchandr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vovchandr/32/6275_2.png) [@Vovchandr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Vovchandr)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/difference-between-matte-and-flat-black/262281/17 "2012-01-13T14:09:58Z")
> [@i got smoked (not too bad though)](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/i-got-smoked-not-too-bad-though/47859/34): > > Maybe for you haha I like to stand out haha but thanks for the help I’ll look into those hot rod colors I gotta see if there to glossy for what I want There is a difference between good “standing out” and being that guy in your Senior Prom wearing Parachute pants.